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Standard English ConventionsEasyComma after a sentence-opening 'however'

Standard English Conventions practice question

The forecast had promised heavy rain. ____ the whole day stayed dry.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. However,Correct
  2. B. However
  3. C. However;
  4. D. , however,

Answer: A. However,

'However' opens the second sentence as a transition, and a transition at the start of a sentence is followed by a comma.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. However
Without the comma, 'However the whole day' reads as 'in whatever way the whole day'.
C. However;
A semicolon needs a complete clause before it; 'However' alone isn't one.
D. , however,
A sentence can't begin with a comma.

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